“While ombudsmen do not describe their newsroom relationships as particularly chummy, most say that reporters understand the public editor’s role and are good sports about being critiqued. ‘It’s a professional relationship,’ the Washington Post’s Deborah Howell says. ‘They don’t have to like me, as long as they respect me.’”

Because, as Howell puts it, “You don’t have any friends on this job.” And we completely agree! The relationship between ombudsman and his/her fellow staffers is so inherently awkward that, fundamentally, it’s all about mutual respect.

Or, in the case of New York Times‘ public editor Clark Hoyt, begrudging acceptance.